Even Cash got to go swimming :-)
My Momma and I
Silly James had to put on the goggles like his Daddy :-D
Great picture with Uncle John
Getting water dumped on his head....could have been a disaster....
...but he was a good sport about it (considering he was dumping it on every one else before this)
Giving GG kisses before she left -- we love when they visit!
Some loving for Pops to take home with him -- we'll see them again soon though to meet their newest grandbaby!
James and Kay shaking out the picnic blanket -- loads of fun!
All bundled up to go home and take a nap after being in the bright sun all day
Had to throw this picture in there, just too cute, that lil' tooshie!
James finally smiled for a picture with GG!
We loved getting to see the Motes family! James loves playing with Baby Ains (below he's giving her a kiss) and he had a blast playing with the hose with Maddie!
James decided to show off his acrobatic skillzzzz on Thursday at nap time and climbed out of the pack 'n play -- luckily GG and Pops were prepared with this perfect toddler bed. It took some work, but he eventually fell asleep.....
....for a bit of the night anyway. I had a visitor at about 3:30am -- who then promptly kicked me out of my bed :-)
Aunt Cassie was able to come up for a bit on Saturday -- YEAH! She helped keep James entertained while he got a haircut and then we got some yummy frozen yogurt :-)
Above :: our neighborhood fox was ticked after a huge storm that morning and was cleaning herself off in the neighbor's back yard
James loves to help put away the dishes -- you gotta be quick to keep up with him though! One of his best chores along with "clean up" (which he has a song for)
James loved to watch the men pull out the ugly bushes from between the columns....prepping for (eventually) the new front porch that we want to add on (update :: just got the call today, permit has been approved, I rock and should be a contractor, I tell ya, first try). This whole project got delayed because the sewer pipe broke at the foundation and we had a LOT of sewer water in the basement (a separate post)...ended up being a good thing we dragged our feet a bit until summer on this because the sewer line comes out the front of the house and they would have needed to cut up our brand new concrete to get to it! Now we have a nice, long, gravel-supported sewer pipe with clean out valve outside to hopefully avoid this again!
Had them remove a bush-on-steroids from the corner (couldn't keep up with it) and move the rocks from up front to back here -- I think I'd do well with "gardening" in the southwest, as I LOVE this -- the less gardening, the better!
We survived the rapture and went to dinner at the Grand Victoria Casino Buffet with Gma Chele and Uncle John....thanks for getting stuck in an elevator there and taking us with your passes, Gma! Yummy :-) 
Above :: James got my camera, not too bad!
Gma Chele came over to cash in on her Christmas sugar cookie mix that James gave her. She made the dough and let it chill while he finished up his nap. It took a few minutes for James to get over being dirty and having his hands messy, but then he couldn't get enough. He first helped roll out the dough.
Then he used cookie cutters to cut shapes (airplanes, circles, stars and hearts)
..and a "flipper, Mommy" to put them on the cookie sheet. He was very patient while he watched them cook in the oven.
Grandma and James showing off (and diving into) their creations :-)
Above :: James cheeeesing at the picnic table with Brown's Lake in the background
The life jacket made it easy for Daddy to direct James on the walk to the "row row" (Jim wasn't pulling up, the life jacket just gave him that much of a wedgie -- good thing he had a thick diaper on)!
James and Mommy trying to stay in the boat as Uncle John drives really fast
Taking a break to hang with Daddy and Gma Chele
But Moooom, I'm big enough to tube, I promise!
The beach was a big hit -- good thing Gma Chele got him a bucket the night before because I cannot find ours anywhere!
Sifting sand and brushing it off his belly
He really enjoyed the water too -- it was like bath water, even I got in without a problem! 
All wet from splashing in the waves
Video #1 :: splashing in the water
The Stage
Mom hooked Dad up with a golf cart ride back to his car -- his back just couldn't hack it but I was proud of him for going to the concert and having a good time still!
Me and the 'rents!
Dad and Mom, Dave and Sherry :-)
Saturday we went down to Ellettsville, IN (near Bloomington) to see Aunt Cassie and Uncle Brian's new house. Super cute house -- although you can't park on the street -- ever -- so they park visitor's cars on the lawn -- which I just find odd -- crazy southern IN towns :-)
James was a big big fan of Uncle Larry's new cowboy hat (he picked it up from the Brooks & Dunn concert) -- we should have known as he only liked country music when he was a baby :-)
Sunday we threw Aunt Kristen and Uncle Larry a baby shower! GG made an awesome taco bar for everyone to enjoy and they got some much needed baby gear. I can't wait to meet my new niece!!!! Mid-September will get her quickly though, so get ready, new Momma and Poppa!
Maddie was soooo excited to give Kris her present -- a "sisters" picture frame and a onesie that says "I'm the Little Sister."
I got everyone to decorate duckies for Mini Motesie -- I think they had fun and hopefully they can use them to decorate her bathroom or something :-) James went bonkers when he saw the ducks -- "DUCK DUCK DUCK" and doing the sign over and over.
Look at that baby belly and the excited Mommy and Aunties!
James gives Pops the best hugs. Here, he is saying "bye" to Pops at his lunch break because we were about to embark on our long journey home to Chicago. Pops, trust me, he misses you too! He goes around honking his nose, just like you taught him :-)
